Colin Powell Invokes Image Of Fallen Soldier

Colin Powell has officially endorsed Barack Obama for President. But the big news is that this was not even his most important endorsement of the day. As it turns out, the most important thing endorsed by Colin Powell today was an America that's worth leading and worth fighting for, an America that encapsulates the idea of what some might call a "more perfect union." To that end, Powell invoked a picture to illustrate his point.

"Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer is no. That's not America. Is there something wrong with a seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing he or she could be president? Yet I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion that he is a Muslim and might have an association with terrorists. This is not the way we should be doing it in America.

I feel particularly strong about this because of a picture I saw in a magazine. It was a photo essay about troops who were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And one picture at the tail end of this photo essay, was of a mother at Arlington Cemetery and she had her head on the headstone of her son's grave. And as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone, and it gave his awards - Purple Heart, Bronze Star - showed that he died in Iraq, gave his date of birth, date of death, he was 20 years old. And then at the very top of the head stone, it didn't have a Christian cross. It didn't have a Star of David. It has a crescent and star of the Islamic faith.

And his name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan. And he was an American. He was born in New Jersey. He was fourteen years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he could serve his country and he gave his life."

This is the picture of Elsheba Khan, taken by Platon for the New Yorker:

So, yeah. Sometimes, America does benefit when we share our wealth with one another. And some people, in fact, do have it harder than Joe The Plumber.

Comments

[kwa7154]

White people must understand that their stranglehold on this country is over. They stole it from the beginning and you cannot hold onto stolen property forever. Eventually, you must give it back to its rightful owners and that is ALL of the american people. Not just white. Look up the words "DIVINE JUSTICE" and then maybe you'ff understand.

[eserfeliz]

uh, what?

so, we should give back the parts of mexico that were stolen? should we sell back the loiusiana purchase? can you bring back to life the native americans that were slaughtered?

this has absolutely nothing to do with "DIVINE JUSTICE," as you so "eloquently" stated. karma is nothing more that simple cause and effect. white, black, asian, native american, hispanic: we ALL need to understand the gravity of our decisions and act accordingly. stop pointing the finger at white people; point the finger at yourself.

[RoloTomassi]

NEGATIVE; we cannot distance ourselves from our crimes any more than we already have, and such defensiveness and arrogance only shows your denial.

Take all that we have destroyed and conquered elsewhere and put it aside for a moment; when we look at the history of this nation, one must be blind not to see that we are far from abeing bsolved of the brutal theft of these lands, and have never done enough to make amends to NATIVE AMERICANS.

Great nations commit great sins; we have not dealt with our original crime effectively, much less all that has come afterwards.

[bliss0027]

unless you can start to understand the mistakes of the past, you are only doomed to repeat them

the slaughter of the natives was a long time ago............yet here we are in iraq.......once again asserting "american authority" for all those naive muslims who need to be shown the "right" way of life

i think you need a real education in american history

[eserfeliz]

THAT'S WHAT I WAS SAYING. apparently nobody here understands sarcasm here unless you put a cutesy little "/sarcasm" tag at the end for you goons. so, let me break it down for you:

OP said, "Eventually, you must give it back to its rightful owners and that is ALL of the american people."

No. "The American People" are not the rightful owners. "White people" may have stolen it or purchased it from someone else, but as evidenced by history (the same history that someone intimated that i need an education in), it will pass on to someone else, whether a new culture comes in or the ocean swallows it whole. Realise the larger truth is that we're all tenants here and that we won't hold on to this forever, so respect it and enjoy it while you're here.

OP said, "Look up the words "DIVINE JUSTICE" and then maybe you'ff understand."

I am so sick and tired of people blaming a shadowy figure in the sky for misfortune, whether it be their own or someone else's. You know what divine justice really is? It's an extension of free will. God allows you to enjoy the fruits of your labor. And if your labor is wicked, then you have grown bitter fruit to eat. Simple as that. "God" is not sitting up there tapping his fingers maliciously, waiting for someone to screw up so that he can smite them.

[DancingQ]

I am so glad Colin Powell brought up this point. I have been saying this forever. Barack Obama is not Muslim but let's say he was, so what? How about an Arab? So what??? I don't get biggots and close minded people. Embrace diversity and never ever forget that the original Americas are the Native Americans. Today, being American comes in different shapes, colors, religions, sizes, etc. Let's respect each other.

[southbay]

Colin Powell has taken this conversation far beyond what either the Republican or the Democratic Party had planned this effort to go. Th fact that he has be able to drive this conversation to the point where both parties must define their support is beyond what we anticipated. is nearly unbelievable. It is time for the singular people who hold up their own faith, t oreachout and accept the pain of being a political outsider.

thanks.
Carl

[SouthPrairie]

This sincerely made me cry for the America that encompasses all Americans. I am extremely thankful for Powell’s reminder of what it is to be an American. It is not a narrow, if you agree with me, litmus test. In America, a union of 50 states and several territories with slightly differing priorities, we live in peace side by side, even if we have differing ideologies.

This is the example that we want to shine before the world. A candle upon a candle stick holder that lights up the world. This candle would shine the light of encompassing love. This light would shine a light of treating our neighbors as we would want to be treated. This light would shine a light that would build bridges, not walls. This would be light supporting international rights for women and children. This light would inspire, not subjugate. And this is the light that has prevailed in American history time and time again. In spite of those who would strive to force the shackles of the past.

An Obama Administration will not be able to bring about all of our aspirations, but will inspire us to aspire. And after all, how do aspirations come to fruition without the inspiration to aspire.


Obama/Biden '08

[Jazzcomedian]

Muhammad Ali, one of America's greatest, and most beloved icons is a Muslim, and ironically he had to give up his heaveyweight championship from 1967-1970 because he refused military induction, and war because it clashed with his peaceful religious beliefs.

Neal Kaskari, the man in charge of our $700 billion is of middle-eastern descent, and looks far more Arab than Obama. Why aren't the Republicans worried about them? Because it's B*LLSH*T that's why!!! The Republicans are still the party of Joe McCarthy. That tells you all you need to know. The fearmongering, tightwad party of Scrooge and Mr. Potter.

[MeiLing]

You know, I just watched an old "Unsolved Mysteries" clip on Sonny Liston today and they talked about Cassis Clay's (Ali) fight with Liston and that was one of the thoughts that popped into my head.

As far as the Republicans still being the party of McCarthy, that was pretty evident in Michele Bachman's comments the other day.

[ShinningSun]

Good points Jazz,
Neel Kashkari btw is East Indian.

http://blogs.wsj.com/deals/2008/10/10/neel-kashkari-a-portrait-of-the-700-billion-man-as-a-young-banker/

[Nclghtning]

what about General John Abizaid?.....retired CENTCOM commander?
Abizaid was born in Coleville, California, to a Lebanese-American father and an American mother. He is fluent in Arabic, and was the most senior U.S. military officer of direct Arab descent. He was raised mostly by his widowed father, a former enlisted man who attained the rank of a Navy Chief Petty Officer. He is married and has three children, one of whom is enlisted in the United States Army as a Military Police Officer. He studied Arabic in Jordan, where he received special forces training. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Abizaid

[Passenger57]

It's a shame that Powell doesn't want to be involved in politics. Maybe (oh,please) Obama can talk him into taking SOME positon in his admnistration....Powell shut the door , but he didn't lock it...

[neesy08]

I wish he would. If he ever ran for Prez, he would win, hands down. Such an honorable man.

[tstrimling]

I was so moved by this moment in General Powell's remarks and was intrigued by the image conjured in my mind's eye of this grieving mother alongside the grave of her beloved son. The actual photograph is far more powerful. This is an elegaic image capturing a glimpse of the America I call home.

[neesy08]

We need more GOP like Powell calling his own out. That would indeed be the "straight talk express."

[TchoupitoulasCanal]

Agreed!

[kristycu]

I keep coming back to this page to look at this picture- you are right it is more powerful and i can't help but to stair at it. you feel love, peace, pride, saddness and sacrifice and being thankful for his service and both of their sacrifice all at the same time

[caywen]

I want to show this picture to the hateful people at Palin rallies and ask them how they feel about themselves. This woman of Muslim faith and her son sacrificed more than almost anyone at those hate rallies.

[Rhia]

Thank God! Joe the Plumber is history. This is more believable, moving and genuine.

[keebler28]

I thought that was an very insightful and emotional moment. almost brought me to tears

[loofa]

I've been waiting and waiting for someone of note to talk about this. It has so bothered me that the main response to the accusations of "he's a muslim" has been "he is not!" As if to be a Muslim is a crime, or somehow makes a person less American. As if our country doesn't have at it's supposed foundation, a place for people of all faiths and even those with no faith at all. My thanks to Mr. P owell

[neesy08]

At a Yahoo group I belong to, I called o ut a member of the list for his anti-Muslim post! His response? e blocked my email account from getting through! Worse, noby else challenged the bigot for his posts but me. They all agreed with him

[kristycu]

i too have been crying out for some one high ranking republican to speak up- it had to be a repbulican in order for it to resonate- a better person could not have said it better

[SadButWiser]

It is now between Joe the plumber, and CPL Kareem Rashad, The first is complaining about the extra 3% that he may have to give in taxes, and being touted as a hero by some Republicans, and the second who has given his life for his country, America, but being touted as a terrorist by the same group of people because of his faith.

[roch20]

Amen, is the biggest hipocrisy, everyday you hear the (Republican Party) calling a soldier a "hero", while calling Obama a terrorist, muslim, un-american, etc...and this is all happening in the name of the "christian faith"!!!! WTF!!!

[apoyo]

He's complaining about paying taxes on a business that he has no prayer of being able to buy without the benefit of Obama's tax strategy.

[Girlforaction]

That is a pretty picture with the lady memorializing her son. Probably these Republicans can tell this mother who gave her son to her country how Anti-American she and her fallen son are because of their faith. We must vote these fools out of office, if not for anyone than for this mother.

[tsand19151]

.........very well stated.

[txgal44]

You are right. We must get rid of them once and for all. "We the people" deserve better.

[apoyo]

It's not a pretty picture. It's a tragic picture.

[PoliticalJNKY]

This was such a poignant moment in the interview, and this story brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. This is the America we must strive for, not the hateful divisive one being pushed on us from the right.
Colin Powell, you sir are a good man! Thank you for that moving tribute and that heart felt endorsement!

[GolfingDevil05]

This photo is exactly what was wrong with McCain's defense of Obama when a woman at McCain's rally claimed Obama was an Arab. He told her that he wasn't an Arab, but that he was a decent, family man. McCain's answer seems to exclude an ethnic group from producing decent, family men.

General Powell is right. There's something sinister about the demonizing of all Arabs, especially when we have many soldiers of Arabian descent or of Islamic faith in our own military, fighting and dying for us every day.